Ray Avery (New Zealand scientist)
Encyclopedia
Sir Raymond "Ray" John Avery, GNZM
(born c.1947) is a New Zealand
scientist who won New Zealander of the Year award for his invention of technology to produce low cost intraocular lenses.
Avery, an inventor and social entrepreneur from Mount Eden
in Auckland, established Medicine Mondiale
as an independent development agency and charity in 2003. It creates low-cost sustainable solution
s that combat global poverty and health issues for the most vulnerable and neglected societies.
After meeting Fred Hollows
, Ray Avery supervised the construction of IOL laboratories in Eritrea and Nepal for The Fred Hollows Foundation
, and designed manufacturing processes for intraocular lenses (IOLs). The Fred Hollows Foundation laboratories now provide 13% of the world market for intraocular lenses and use technology invented and gifted by Avery.
Some of Avery’s inventions include the Acuset IV Flow controller helping with the safe administration of potent IV drugs, the Liferaft Incubator which uses innovative technology to reduce mortality of premature babies associated with bacterial infections and a nutritional product from waste by-products of meat and kiwifruit
industries to assist children suffering from diarrheal diseases.
After spending his childhood in English orphanages and foster homes, Ray developed his interest in science at the age of 14 while living rough
in London and finding warmth in public libraries. He now mentors young people, speaking regularly at schools and universities.
Avery spent 30 years in the New Zealand pharmaceutical industry. A founding member of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Auckland
, he was later Technical Director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, where he not only reduced the cost of medicines but also help develop the New Zealand drug export industry. Avery is Chair of the World Class New Zealand Steering Committee and a member of KEA (Kiwi Expat Association).
In 2010, Avery won the Sir Peter Blake
Leadership Medal.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(born c.1947) is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
scientist who won New Zealander of the Year award for his invention of technology to produce low cost intraocular lenses.
Avery, an inventor and social entrepreneur from Mount Eden
Mount Eden
Mount Eden is the name of a cinder cone and surrounding suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand, situated five kilometres south of the city centre. The mountain is the highest natural point in the whole of Auckland...
in Auckland, established Medicine Mondiale
Medicine Mondiale
Medicine Mondiale is an independent development agency headed by Ray Avery focused on improving life for the world's poor by developing products and technologies which have applications in both the developing and developed world markets....
as an independent development agency and charity in 2003. It creates low-cost sustainable solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s that combat global poverty and health issues for the most vulnerable and neglected societies.
After meeting Fred Hollows
Fred Hollows
Frederick "Fred" Cossom Hollows, AC was an ophthalmologist who became known for his work in restoring eyesight for countless thousands of people in Australia and many other countries...
, Ray Avery supervised the construction of IOL laboratories in Eritrea and Nepal for The Fred Hollows Foundation
The Fred Hollows Foundation
The Fred Hollows Foundation is a non-profit aid organization based in Australia founded in 1992 by eye surgeon Fred Hollows. The Foundation focuses on treating and preventing blindness and other vision problems...
, and designed manufacturing processes for intraocular lenses (IOLs). The Fred Hollows Foundation laboratories now provide 13% of the world market for intraocular lenses and use technology invented and gifted by Avery.
Some of Avery’s inventions include the Acuset IV Flow controller helping with the safe administration of potent IV drugs, the Liferaft Incubator which uses innovative technology to reduce mortality of premature babies associated with bacterial infections and a nutritional product from waste by-products of meat and kiwifruit
Kiwifruit
The kiwifruit, often shortened to kiwi in many parts of the world, is the edible berry of a cultivar group of the woody vine Actinidia deliciosa and hybrids between this and other species in the genus Actinidia....
industries to assist children suffering from diarrheal diseases.
After spending his childhood in English orphanages and foster homes, Ray developed his interest in science at the age of 14 while living rough
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
in London and finding warmth in public libraries. He now mentors young people, speaking regularly at schools and universities.
Avery spent 30 years in the New Zealand pharmaceutical industry. A founding member of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, he was later Technical Director of Douglas Pharmaceuticals, where he not only reduced the cost of medicines but also help develop the New Zealand drug export industry. Avery is Chair of the World Class New Zealand Steering Committee and a member of KEA (Kiwi Expat Association).
In 2010, Avery won the Sir Peter Blake
Peter Blake (yachtsman)
Sir Peter James Blake, KBE was a New Zealand yachtsman who won the Whitbread Round the World Race, the Jules Verne Trophy – setting the fastest time around the world of 74 days 22 hours 17 minutes 22 seconds on catamaran Enza, and led his country to successive victories in the America’s Cup...
Leadership Medal.